The Experiences of White Mothers Parenting Black/White Children: Personal, Social and Community Factors in
Child Welfare Involvement

Although much research attention has been paid to the disparities in the rates of African-American children and parents in child welfare, less attention has been paid to child welfare involvement of children of more than one race. Dr. Rauktis will discuss findings from Allegheny County in Pennsylvania about the disproportionality in referrals of Biracial (Black/White) children to child welfare, a more recent study of factors associated with involvement in child welfare, and a qualitative analysis of interviews with White mothers of Black/White children. The presentation will conclude with a discussion about mixed-race children and families in Boys Town programs and thoughts about prevention and intervention strategies.

Mary Elizabeth Rauktis has a Ph.D. in social work, and she is a Research Assistant Professor and faculty member for The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center in the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rauktis was previously Director of Research at Pressley Ridge, an international nonprofit provider of services to children and families.

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